A victory for the Hungry in the Supreme Court of Nepal

On 25 September, the Supreme Court of Nepal issued an interim order according to which the Government of Nepal has to supply immediately food to 32 food-short districts. “Interim order” refers to orders that remain applicable for the duration of the case. The Court found immediate action necessary because of over three million people suffering from food scarcity.

The decision of the Supreme Court followed a public interest litigation which had also been based on the right to food. Similar to the Indian Supreme Court Orders on the right to food, the order of the Supreme Court of Nepal is one more important case that can be used to help people to understand that they are “entitled” to certain forms of public support as a matter of right.